from Louise Benjamin–
Hello all,
I’m a 40 year old disabled housewife and mother of 3 dogs and 3 cats. I
have osteo-arthritis, and there are many days when getting out of bed is pretty
hard to do. I’ve had this disease for several years now, and receive benefits
that make my life a little easier. As a natural course of my disease, it is
quite hard to leave the house in the winter-time. Even the warmer days make
leaving home a larger chore than I would like. So, I spend most of my life at
home, budgeting my time away from the house into small errands and
in increments.
Getting to church on a Sunday, or even a week-day sometimes just can’t
happen for me anymore. It’s why you probably wouldn’t recognize my face in the
congregation unless you know me well. So, I do as much as I can at home to
maintain my spiritual life as possible. I watch quite a bit of EWTN, a channel
that comes with our cable service, so I can at least witness the Mass. I also
participate in the Rosary from their broadcasts as well. I follow along with
these Masses by using the Roman Missal, where I can read along with the readings
just like we do in church. The effect isn’t the same, and it’s not going to be,
but I can feel a part of the body of Christ, the Church, by proxy. I use the
Spiritual Communion Prayer found in my Missal quite a bit. I do try to get to
Mass in the winter-time at least once a month, and I have started trying to
attend Reconciliation available on Saturdays, and I attend the Mass shortly
afterwards. I’d love to be able to take part in the Adoration available on
Thursdays, but most of the time that this just isn’t possible.
I spend those days I can’t go out, studying various topics on our faith,
and listening to audiobooks on the faith while I knit or crochet. Scott Hahn,
Robert Barron, Pope Benedict, and Andrew M Greeley are amongst my audible
collection. I also have an audio Bible I listen to. There are many hours, while
I sit and work on some project at home that those audiobooks are a source of
hope and inspiration for me. I’m spending my time making prayer shawls, and
praying for the members of the congregation. While I don’t know most of you,
there are quite a few of you that stand out in my heart. I’ll probably never
know your names, but I remember your faces, and I smile when I think of
you.
There was the Lady I sat next to one Sunday morning last year. We sat in
the section set aside in the church for the disabled. When the basket went by,
she couldn’t get her envelope out quick enough, but Deacon Vern was able to get
her envelope anyways. There were two women I sat between the last Mass I was
able to attend. I have to bundle up quite a bit, and end up wearing sometimes
two thick winter coats, in order to stay comfortable in our weather. Both women
treated me with respect and dignity, and for that I’m eternally grateful. When I
am able to attend Mass, my heart records every moment, every nuance I can, that
I can remember everything possible. Going to Mass is the Highlight of my heart,
and I yearn to attend again. I enjoy my contact with all of you, and I look
forward to the warm sunshine, soft breezes, and nice days when I can get out
among you again.
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